Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-03-05
THAT NEGRO COLLEGE-ITS Enc
MES.

In our issue of the 18th ut, we
spoke of the proposed Normal and
Collegiate Institute for the colored
youth of the State-something to give
us State pride, as Virginia, Alabama,
and other States. We did not enter
fully into the details of the matter,
but said the following, at which Bro.
George II. White becomes much Of
Tended:
"Those who spoke before the com
mittee against giving us Normal
Collegiate Institute were }. 0.
Crosby, principal Normal, Salisbury
H. G. Crosby, principal Normal at
Plymouth S. A. Waugh, principal /
Normal at Franklinton; Messrs White
and Savage, ex-principals Of Normals
at Newborn and Plymouth j. S.
Leary, and Mr.. Vincent a teacher in
Shaw University. Thus it will be /
seen that these persons are personally /
interested in the Normals as they now |
stand and naturally oppose the inter
fering with them because it would in
terfere with their living-!heir bread.
y = 4
The school teachers of the State, in
convention assembled last summer.
said We need higher normal to pre-
pare our teachers. ! bill has been /
drawn by the committee on education /
in accordance with their suggestion.
asking for only $4,000 annually to
support it. If we fail to get il from
the present Legislature the charge may (
be laid at the door of the men who /
have been honored by being placed al
the head OF our State schools, viz: J.
O. Crosby, S. A. Waugh. Il c. ]
Crosby, i. Z. Smith, G. II White. J
A. Savage, led by John Il. William
son and backed by J $. Laary and
Vincent, who opposed It and iufu-
enced the committee against it.
New BnRyE, n. c.. Feb. u.
70 w. G. Smith. Esq. E{iior lies I
senger-In the last issue Of your paper /
| notice my name in connection with
several other gentlemen. where ven
state that in the event the present leg [
islature does not pass the bill now
pending to appropriate 10000 to es- /
tablish State Collegiate or Normal /.
Institute for the colorad people, the /
charge for such failure may be laid at
our door. This charge is erroneous /
and seemingly malicious. so far as it
relates to me- If / am not mistaken
you we're present when the gentlemen
referred to were before the committee
on education, and therefore know ,hat
| said not one word in opposition to
the bill to establish said institute, bui
on the other hand | requested the
committee to pass the bill if they could /
see the way clear, but not to DO so Al
the sacrifice of our present normal
schools. | did ask for an increas-
ed appropriation for our normals al
ready established that their efficiency
for good might be enlarged, but no,h-
ing more, and you know it.
1t is known that | am an earnest
advocate of popular education and
would not dare say one word against
any measure that tended il that drec-
tion. | favor the Collegiate or Nor
NAL Institute, if we can get it: but not
at the abolition Of our normal schools. I
If your article was written through |
an honest mistake, and not intended /
to misrepresent me and do me an in 4
jury, you will make publication of
this letter and oblige, yours &c,
GEo. II. WHITg.
There was and is nothing malieiop'
in our words concerning this matter
and the parties named We were
present and heard the speeches Of the
gentlemen referred TO- We do know
that Geo Il White was one Of the
gentlemen VINO appeared before the
committee IN Imposition 10 he coiiege
ii we mistake not, the question was
put direct to him: (Which Of the two
would be beiter-the uormals as they
stand, or a eollege:'' and he said
1.-The noFinals as they stand" We
heard his argument or talk. and were
as the others. for some time at loss
to tell on which side he stood He
said there. as he does here Pass the
bill if you can, Jn nat at HE sqcr'fce I
Of orr present normd srhools."
We have no axe to grind have no I
personal interest in the matter more
than for the general good Of the people !